Level monitoring across plating baths — acid copper, nickel sulfamate, chromic acid — in PVDF Kynar, the material specified where the chemistry attacks everything else.
The problem
A plating line is not one tank, it is a row of them, and each bath is a different chemistry. A level switch that survives acid copper may not survive chromic acid. Buying a different switch for every bath multiplies part numbers, spares and lead times — which is the problem a modular system is built to remove.
Application examples
Multi-Bath Plating Line — Level Monitoring
An electroplating equipment manufacturer needs level monitoring across multiple chemical baths — acid copper, nickel sulfamate, and chromic acid. PVDF Kynar handles the chemistry across all three, so one material specification covers the whole line instead of one switch type per bath.
Material selection
Every ERECTA SWITCH configuration is available in three materials. For this application the usual specification is PVDF Kynar (KR).
Polypropylene (PP) — Water, soaps, coolants, dilute acids, and alkaline cleaning solutions. The standard specification for aqueous applications. Lowest cost per unit.
Acetal (AC) — Hydrocarbon service — gasoline, diesel fuel, hydraulic oil and clean motor oil.
PVDF Kynar (KR) — Concentrated acids, caustics, oxidizers, halogens, and high-purity process fluids. Maximum chemical resistance for semiconductor, electroplating, and chemical processing applications. ← typical here
A float level switch is a point-level device: a float rides the liquid and actuates a magnetic reed switch at a set height, giving a simple on/off signal. ERECTA SWITCH Series 10 is a reed float switch — no power, no firmware, no calibration. "Sensors" usually means continuous measurement (ultrasonic/radar/capacitive); ERECTA SWITCH targets reliable discrete-point control.
Pump start/stop control, high-level overflow and low-level dry-run protection, and tank/reservoir level alarms in OEM equipment. The modular ERECTA SWITCH system is built into laundry, HVAC, water-treatment, hydraulic, and chemical-handling machinery.
Choose the material to match the media: Polypropylene (PP) for general aqueous service, acids and bases; Acetal (AC) for solvents, fuels and hydrocarbons; PVDF Kynar (KR) for aggressive acids, caustics, oxidizers and halogens. Nearly every ERECTA SWITCH model is offered in all three — the exceptions are 10-785, 10-786, 10-786-R and 10-787, which are polypropylene only. Series 5 flow switches additionally carry a titanium spring in the flow path, so check titanium compatibility as well for flow applications. If your chemistry is borderline, send it to us with the concentration and temperature and we will confirm the material.
ERECTA SWITCH is point-level (discrete on/off at set heights). For multiple points, use a multi-level extended-stem set (2-, 3-, or 4-level) instead of one continuous sensor.
Both. Vertical top-mount, bulkhead and extended-stem configurations cover top-entry installations. For side entry, use Series 15 side-mounted switches or the Series 10 single-point side-mounted switch sets — the usual choice where a tank has no vertical access, or where the top is occupied by pumps, motors or filters. Mount style is part of the model number.
Point detection is repeatable and mechanical. The trip height is set by the 10-715 precision nipple, ordered separately in 1-inch increments (1"–70"), so you place the switch point exactly where the application needs it.
ERECTA SWITCH uses a magnetic reed switch wired in series with your relay or controller. Contact rating is 70 VA / 50 W resistive (UL File E70063). Inductive loads such as solenoid and relay coils require external arc suppression; above the rating, isolate the load with a Series 50 relay. Switch action is selectable, and how you select it depends on the series: on Series 10 the float is reversible, so the same part gives normally-open or normally-closed; on Series 15 the float orientation sets the action; on Series 20 you specify it in the model number as WO (wet open) or DO (dry open).
No. It's a mechanical float actuating a sealed reed switch — there's nothing to calibrate or power, which is a reliability advantage over electronic sensors.
A single switch detects one point. For high+low (or more), use a multi-level extended-stem set that places multiple reed points on one stem.
Inspect that the float moves freely (debris/scaling), then test reed continuity with a multimeter. Because ERECTA SWITCH is modular, you replace the individual component — switch, float, connector, or fitting — instead of the whole assembly.
Maximum fluid temperature is 90°C across the line, and the pressure rating derates linearly with temperature to zero at 90°C. The pressure rating itself is series-specific, quoted at 20°C: Series 5 — 150 PSI, Series 10 — 100 PSI, Series 11 and Series 15 — 50 PSI, Series 20 — 20 PSI. Series 50 solid state relays are electrical components and carry no pressure rating.
Standard ERECTA SWITCH models are not rated for hazardous (Class I / Div) areas. For flammable-service applications, contact Compac engineering to discuss your requirements and available options.
Media chemistry (pick PP/AC/KR), liquid specific gravity, operating temperature and pressure, mounting style, number of switch points, and electrical contact rating. Compac will spec it from your application — request a free evaluation sample.
No — and deliberately. ERECTA SWITCH is a hardwired reed switch with no electronics to fail, no battery, and no firmware, which is why OEMs design it into equipment that must run for years unattended.
It is a fully modular system — switch, float, connector, fitting and nipple are independently field-replaceable and stocked — so OEMs configure exactly what they need with no minimum order and short lead times. If the chemistry changes or a switch wears, you replace the one component rather than the whole assembly. Made in Paradise, California; RoHS compliant.
Specifying for this application?
Send the tank, the fluid and the switch point. We will confirm the configuration and the material.